Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026
UPSC Prelims 2026Question Paper
Download the official UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDF for General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2. Free access with expert answer key and detailed solutions.
View UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key & Detailed SolutionsDownload UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDF
Get both papers in one place — ideal for revision and self-assessment after the exam.
UPSC Prelims 2026 — Exam Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is the first stage of the IAS exam. It comprises two objective papers conducted on the same day — General Studies Paper I (merit ranking) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying, 33% minimum). This page hosts the UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDF download for aspirants who want to practise with the actual paper or verify questions after the exam in May 2026.
GS Paper I Highlights
- 100 questions · 2 hours
- +2 / −0.66 marking
- History, Polity, Economy, Environment & more
CSAT Paper II Highlights
- 80 questions · 2 hours
- 33% qualifying marks required
- Comprehension, reasoning & aptitude
Sample Questions (from database)
Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons ?
Consider the following statements : I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kangnika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following ? 1. Emergence of urban life 2. Transition to money economy Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole 3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal Select the answer using the code given below :
Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?
Full paper and solutions on the Answer Key page.